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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Clarification on Women only spaces

377 replies

Magenta82 · 12/04/2019 13:18

Hiya, I've always identified as a feminist, I'm fairly new to Mumsnet and before joining had read about trans rights and had got the impression that any challenges were transphobic and bigoted.

I can see now that, as with most things, the issues are far more nuanced than Twitter would lead us to believe. I can see issues with women's rights, self identification, shutting down debate, etc and am starting to understand other points of view.

I guess for me the complications arise when things get personal. I have some trans friends, both MTF and FTM, who have fully transitioned (as adults over 30), had all the surgery, got certificates the whole thing. What would the general consensus be on access to single sex spaces for them?

My friend may not have grown up as a girl/woman, but has made every effort to become one because she has always felt this way, she may not have faced the same challenges as me growing up, but she has faced other challenges and discrimination. I feel like she absolutely belongs in women only spaces and would hate to think that other people see her as a threat.

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ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 12/04/2019 13:30

People cannot change sex.
Single sex spaces are for a specific sex.

It's really very simple.

Perhaps you and your friends should campaign for 3rd spaces for those who are uncomfortable using the spaces allocated to their sex?

BadPennyNoBiscuit · 12/04/2019 13:23

An adjustment such as a single sex service or space is for a specific group, it is not an act of discrimination if people who are not part of the group are excluded.

So for example, the breastfeeding space in the workplace is for women who are breastfeeding or expressing milk.
As a woman who is not breastfeeding, you don't feel discriminated against for being barred form using it, do you?